BookWyrm

Gwenfar reviewed Kindred by Rebecca Wragg Sykes

Rebecca Wragg Sykes: Kindred (Paperback, 2022, Bloomsbury Sigma)

Bringing life to Neanderthals in a way I've never previously experienced.

5 stars

Have been reading this as an audiobook, and I have learned so much, but my favourite thing is that all humans alive today have something like 3% Neanderthal DNA.

The author is also the narrator and they have brought Neanderthals to life in a way no-one has ever done before, in my experience. She talks about knapping quite a bit, coz it's an important technology, and I was amazed that I found it so engaging. I knew stone tools were very hard to make (I did 1st year archaeology at Uni and it's one of the first things they get you to try to do), but the complexity and different types of tools and the knowledge behind them, was breathtaking.

The author gives the Neanderthals a thinking, breathing, presence, and you get to learn about their world and the challenges they faced, using the latest discoveries and the new insights …

Have been reading this as an audiobook, and I have learned so much, but my favourite thing is that all humans alive today have something like 3% Neanderthal DNA.

The author is also the narrator and they have brought Neanderthals to life in a way no-one has ever done before, in my experience. She talks about knapping quite a bit, coz it's an important technology, and I was amazed that I found it so engaging. I knew stone tools were very hard to make (I did 1st year archaeology at Uni and it's one of the first things they get you to try to do), but the complexity and different types of tools and the knowledge behind them, was breathtaking.

The author gives the Neanderthals a thinking, breathing, presence, and you get to learn about their world and the challenges they faced, using the latest discoveries and the new insights modern tech can bring to understanding the past.

I saw someone describe this book as a mix of poetry and science, and I think that's quite apt.

Oh, my other favourite thing is when the author refers to Britain as 'that land west of Doggerland'!

Gwenfar finished reading Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor

Nnedi Okorafor: Lagoon (Paperback, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd)

When a massive object crashes into the ocean off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria’s most …

Content warning Does reference some later chapters.

I so agree with @whami. I felt the same about it starting off well. In one way I thought it was a rush, covering just 2-3 days. But I went with it, and really got in to the story, but then feel it didn't quite finish off properly. Some plots just stop, and I kinda feel the 'chapter' where she said that they met the aliens but would never remember what was said, was a bit of a cop-out. So it didn't feel properly finished. I think this is one of her earlier books, and defo not as good as Who Fears Death or the Binti novels.

Gwenfar reviewed Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor

When a massive object crashes into the ocean off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria’s most …

Starts well, but then...

3 stars

Content warning Does reference some later chapters.

I so agree with @whami. I felt the same about it starting off well. In one way I thought it was a rush, covering just 2-3 days. But I went with it, and really got in to the story, but then feel it didn't quite finish off properly. Some plots just stop, and I kinda feel the 'chapter' where she said that they met the aliens but would never remember what was said, was a bit of a cop-out. So it didn't feel properly finished. I think this is one of her earlier books, and defo not as good as Who Fears Death or the Binti novels.

Gwenfar started reading Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon

Elizabeth Moon: Remnant Population (2003, Del Rey)

For forty years, Colony 3245.12 has been Ofelia's home. On this planet far away in …

I'm up to the start of chapter 9. So Ofelia has engaged with the 'aliens' now. But she is the alien, not them, it's their planet! I'm guessing it's part of her character, given she is elderly. Like like calling them children. But it niggles at me a bit.

On the other hand, having an older woman as the main character is a delightful change and it's fun to see her being able to be her and not what others project onto her.

Definitely an interesting story so far.

Gwenfar commented on Black and British by David Olusoga

David Olusoga: Black and British (2017, Pan Books, imusti)

This book starts from Roman Britain and gets to the early 1980s. It's written in an engaging style that tells a story, but includes footnotes for those who like them.

I feel like it was a lot to take in, but this shouldn't be surprising since it covers c. 2000 years of history. Also, brain fog doesn't help with information retention! I plan on reading it again in a few months.

Highly recommend this book; it's essential reading if you want to learn about #BlackBritishHistory.

Gwenfar wants to read Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon

For forty years, Colony 3245.12 has been Ofelia's home. On this planet far away in …

November Masto SFFBookclub book

Gwenfar reviewed Blindsight (Firefall, #1) by Peter Watts

Peter Watts: Blindsight (Firefall, #1) (2006)

It's been two months since a myriad of alien objects clenched about the Earth, screaming …

Too much like pre 1970s sci-fi

2 stars

This book has some interesting ideas, but I really struggled with following the storyline, but more, this felt like something from pre-1970s sci-fi, with all the white maleness that contained, and some of the 'slang', such as 'spaz' are just appalling. The book was published in 2006 and there is no excuse for including such offensive and abelist language. These things made it not a great read and I stopped half-way through.